Yemen fighting kills more than 300 as Houthis push toward Bab al-Mandeb

More than 300 fighters and civilians have been killed since the Houthis launched an offensive on Sep 3 toward government-held areas near the Red Sea coast, AFP reported, citing military and medical sources on both sides. The WHO counted 676 casualties in three days and about 21,000 people displaced.

Why this matters. The Houthi drive through Taiz and southern Hodeidah aims at ground overlooking the Bab al-Mandeb Strait, on the Red Sea route Saudi Arabia now relies on for oil exports.